denial

A traverse in the pleading of one party of an allegation of fact asserted by the other; a defense. A response by the defendant to matters) alleged by the plaintiff in the complaint.

Under Rules of Civil Procedure, denials must be specific and directed at the particular allegations controverted.

Denials may be made in part (i.e., specific denial) or in whole (i.e., general denial), but in the main should be specific and "fairly meet the substance of the averments denied." Fed.R. Civil P. 8(b). Averments in pleadings to which a responsive pleading is required are admitted unless denied. Rule 8(d).

@ general denial

@ specific denial

@ general and specific denial

General and specific denial.

In code pleading, a general denial is one which puts in issue all the material averments of the complaint or petition, and permits the defendant to prove any and all facts tending to negative those averments or any of them. A specific denial is a separate denial applicable to one particular allegation of the complaint. An answer by way of a general denial is the equivalent of, and substitute for, the general issue under the common-law system of pleading. It gives to the defendant the same right to require the plaintiff to establish by proof all the material facts necessary to show his right to a recovery as was given by that plea

In respect of general denial See also general plea

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